/ Schools - KS4
   Careers - Going For Gold

Format: 50 minute performance with optional 50 min follow on workshop.

Brief
To design an, innovative educational theatre performance for the Learning and Skills Council London about the many different learning, career and voluntary opportunities open to young people through London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Games. To ensure that every young person is more aware of the opportunities that will arise as part of the investment in the Olympic skills projects:

/ Introducing the Olympics, its legacy and what it means for London
  and young people.
/ Opportunities available to young people through apprenticeships in
  sectors which will benefit directly from the 2012 Games.
/ Raise young people’s aspirations.
/ Explore learning alternatives.

Methodology
Going for Gold is a 35 minute high energy 'magazine style interactive performance, developed to raise the aspirations of all students and pass on positive information about the legacy the 2012 Games will bring. The performance focuses upon the different learning routes chosen by the characters, encouraging the audience to stay in learning, realise their potential and take full advantage of the opportunities the 2012 Games could bring to them.

Multi-media were incorporated into the performance to ensure a multi-sensory learning experience. This encompassed a visual reminder of all of the web sites used during the performance, filmed opinions of four young people with regard to apprenticeships and two bespoke films to ensure delivery of objectives. Daniel's Film was devised to explore the aspirations of a young disabled athlete who is training to compete in the 2012 Paralympics Games, whilst looking for a job that offers training and the opportunity to work towards qualifications and The Legacy was devised to raise awareness of the sectors which will benefit directly from the 2012 Games as well as present the legacy that the Games coming to London would bring and leave behind.

Results
165 performances were delivered to Approx 25,000 year 10 students in selected schools across London.

83% of students after the performance know what the learning alternatives to university are as opposed to 25% before.
72% of students stated that the performance had changed their attitude towards the Games.

“It’s been the best production of its kind in 10 years!”
J Hollidge, Teacher, Morpeth School

Evaluation identifies that Gibber’s multi-sensory approach of live drama, multi-media and interactive theatre was not only Enjoyable, 97% of students rate the performance positively (76% rating it excellent or very good):

“A good way for us to learn”
“It was good because it made you think about the future. The characters were fun and enthusiastic”
“It was excellent, fun and educating”

but also Effective in delivering key learning objectives, as shown in the graph and table below.

Graph for all London schools comparing selected questions from the pre and post evaluations

“Great production – important information delivered in a way
  that appeals to students”
“The performance was professional with good performances
  and very good use of props and audio-visual materials.
  It engaged the students who were fully involved”
“Very effective, it was a brilliant way of communicating
  an important message which was very well received.”

This model of delivery has been used effectively to deliver important ‘stay in learning messages’ on behalf of Aimhigher, What Now Services, Education Business Partnerships, LSCs and Connexions across Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, Lancashire, London, Jersey, Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

A full evaluation is available on request.